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I believe strongly in the presumption of innocence. But even if Vick is ultimately found not-guilty, I still don’t see how anybody with any judgment at all could be anywhere near this sort of activity for any sustained period of time.

People in the public eye get caught doing bad things all of the time. Often, we forgive them, even if they’re guilty. That’s partially because a lot of us can see, with a couple of bad decisions and some bad luck, how we ourselves could get in similar situations.

But dogfighting? For seven years? Even if Vick’s involvement was as remote as possible – some bad-egg family members and friends living in his house in another state – I still can’t see a decent human being putting themselves anywhere near that situation for any amount of time.

It now looks like Vick is a really bad guy. But at the very least he’s got unbelievably bad judgment. That’s not a guy I want calling the signals in any huddle that I care about.

I have defended #7 for years. Those days are long gone.

This is Goodbye, Mike.

I agree emccee fleshy, Vick has to go!!!! Atlanta deserves better then this pea brain. Some good news however, Culpepper has been released from Miami. Kind of funny Harrington is already in ATL. But, the Falcons have to suck it up once again. Get rid of this idiot. Quickly.

I am so digusted to think that someone in Mr. Vick’s position would engage in this sort of activity. With the kind of education he recieved, and the money he has made, couldn’t he find something more productive to do with his time? Try doing something that young children can look up to, instead of stereotyping your race. Isn’t there enough prejudice towards African Americans, without someone in Mr. Vick’s position making those who already think that this is normal behaviour for African Americans, to behave this way? I live in the South, and believe me, there are a lot of people here who would say, “Oh well, what would you expect”. The African American community should be outraged at his actions. Even though innocent until proven guilty, if you own property, it is your responsibility to know what goes on there. Especially someone who is in the limelight and knows what could happen to his reputation. Apparently, Mr. Vick has not been concerned with his reputation in the past as well, from what I have read. What a shame for all of those children, especially the young men, to witness this lack of jugdement and character in someone they admire for their talents on the field. I only hope that the parents of these children will sit down and have and talk with their kids and tell them that Mr. Vick is a good example of a BAD example, and has behaved irresponsibly in whatever regard they find him guilty.

I believe in innocent until proven guilty, as everyone should. But the presidence has been set by the NFL Commisioner about player conduct and bringing discredit upon the NFL. Mike Vick has definately brought discredit upon the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL with, at the least, his poor judgement. Pacman Jones has been chastized for his friends so why not Vick. I am sure even if convicted Mchale Vick will pay a fine and move on and the others will get the prison sentence, that the way it works for people with money. It is a shame that real life is not an equal playing feild I would love to see him go to prison if he was involved and is convicted. I think it is time Atlanta cut their losses as well as the sponsors and the NFL, at least until this is over. I would never allow my kids to watch another game with him playing or buy anything he is sponsored by. Why should anyones time and money be devoted to some one so low and cruel.

If he is found guilty of these animal charges this man, I mean mental problem, should be put through exactly what he put those animals through.

What a vial and disgusting individual. You can’t even call that a human being.

With that being said his football career and image are a joke and he should just be put away and out of everyone else’s misery.

Our kids look up to high profile players like this. Are they going to go out and do things like this because it’s acceptable and he’s gotten away with it so why can’t they?

Geez!

It appears that when I wrote, “Sometime within four days on either side of the start of the Falcons training camp on July 26th (potentially even that same day), Michael Vick will appear in a federal court in Virginia,” I nailed it:

“While his Falcons teammates step onto the field for the first practice of training camp next week, quarterback Michael Vick will be in a court in Richmond, Va., facing federal charges for dog fighting. Vick is to appear at a 3:30 p.m. bond hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Dohnal and a 4 p.m. arraignment before U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson, who will handle the case that has put his career in jeopardy. The Falcons’ first practice begins at 3 p.m. the same day — a coincidence that promises to fuel the media maelstrom swirling around the team.”

Meanwhile, Arthur Blank had to return from taking his wife on a birthday trip to Africa in order to face this mess. I bet he’s in a fine mood.

Just because he has been accused, doesn’t mean he is guilty. The police informants that they have are probably some felons that are trying to get a lighter sentence. I think that Mike will get off because they have to prove without a reasonable doubt that he had involvement, and when it comes down to it, they will not be able to do that.

cutee4u: “I think that Mike will get off because they have to prove without a reasonable doubt that he had involvement, and when it comes down to it, they will not be able to do that.”

Maybe. Maybe not (emphasis mine):

Vick is in real trouble. He is up against the might and majesty of the U.S. government with all of its agents, all of its investigative techniques and all of its skilled prosecutors. If he has any doubts about the power and skill of the forces arrayed against him, he can call Scooter Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, or he can call Lord Conrad Black, the disgraced media mogul facing time in a federal penitentiary. If he still isn’t convinced, he can call Jeff Skilling, the zillionaire former Enron CEO who is residing in a federal pen. All three of them hired brilliant (and expensive) lawyers. All three thought they could explain their way out from under federal charges. And all three were convicted. Vick can, and probably will, hire some of America’s best defense lawyers, but they will face a serious battle.

The conspiracy charge will make things extra difficult for Vick and his lawyers. Under federal laws, the conspiracy charge allows federal prosecutors to link Vick to things that occurred even if he was not present. If the prosecutors can connect the four defendants, crimes committed by one of them can be used to add to the evidence against the others. It’s a tricky legal procedure that prosecutors love and defense lawyers detest.

It’s also worth noting again that there’s not one, but four cooperating witnesses. Since Vick’s cousin Boddie, the guy who lived at that address, is not among those charged, one might assume he’s turned on his cuz’.

I can’t believe this whole situation. Of course he must be proven guilty. It isn’t evryday that people accuse you of such things…. which leads me to believe he is affiliated.

I think if he is guilty we should water him down and electocute him or lets torture him, force him to fight like he has done to these poor animals. Eye for an eye tooth for tooth.

In the end he must face his maker and I don’t wish him luck.

I think if he is guilty we should water him down and electocute him or lets torture him, force him to fight like he has done to these poor animals. Eye for an eye tooth for tooth.

Whoa, folks! Let’s not sacrifice civilization itself. Having a $140,000,000 contract voided (not counting endorsements) and spending three to five in the pen is probably enough. Although, given the choice, some people in Vick’s position might choose your way.

Still, he’s innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. That’s the standard for punishment by the government.

However, the standard for thinking somebody’s a jerk and not buying their products anymore is considerably lower. In my eyes, that lower standard has been mightily surpassed.

While the legal standard for conviction may be quite high, the standard for league action is much lower.

Pacman Jones got a years suspension without being convicted of a crime. The precedent is there and it would seem to me that an 18-page indictment alleging an ongoing criminal enterprise is a little more significant than a few drunken brawls outside strip joints.

Then again, we’re talking about a franchise player in a booming market. This kind of controversy is only good for TV ratings and in the end that is what the league cares about. As far as the Falcons go if they release him they will take a salary cap hit of somewhere around 16 million bucks over two years — that’s gotta hurt no matter how deep the teams pockets.

I wouldn’t expect Vick to go anywhere except prison — say, about, three years from now.

Can’t wait for the Falcons. I’ve decided that Mike Vick won’t start for my NFL team this year. I’m switching to my backup QB: Philip Rivers.

Go Chargers!

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(As a longtime ATLien, I feel terrible about this. But I do have a reason: I live in San Diego now. That’s why, as untrustworthy opportunists go, I’ve still got more way more integrity than Mike Jacobs!)

No matter what happens in the court of law, you can not eradicate the mind of a socio-path. Even if he is ultimately locked in a cell to ponder all his sins, my guess is he’ll rationalize it all as he has done since 2001. People who are drawn to this type of “entertainment”, are sick, sadistic monsters born without a key brain component called “a conscience”. It is truly scary that pieces of human garbage exist in our society to such an extent. Michael Vick will get most of the media’s attention but the horrific and brutal behavior of probably thousands across the country in urban cities, will go merrily on. It is a culture of pure evil, floating through street sewers without a care in the world.